0 Interest on Balance Transfers

Have you ever heard someone preach the benefits of a 0% interest balance transfer credit card? There are numerous different types of 0% interest balance transfer credit cards to choose from, each offering its own unique benefits. Because there are so many different types of 0% interest balance transfer credit card options out there, it would be wise to visit a credit card comparison website where you can get all of the most important information on each of the 0% interest balance transfer credit card options available to you. Here are some of the things that you need to pay attention to when choosing or considering a 0% interest balance transfer credit card:



- The 0% interest rate is temporary, based on an introductory offer. Find out how long the introductory offer will last.



- Your 0% interest balance transfer credit card will not always be 0% interest. Find out what the APR will become when the introductory offer has ended.



- Your 0% interest balance transfer credit card may offer free balance transfers, but this may also end when the introductory offer expires. Find out what the balance transfer interest rate is once the introductory offer has ended.



You can benefit from 0% interest balance transfer credit card options in the long run if you know how to treat the money in these credit cards. The value in a 0% interest balance transfer credit card lies in the fact that you will not have to pay any interest on the money that you use for a set period of time. With free balance transfers during this period of time, what that means is that you can use the money on a 0% interest balance transfer credit card to pay off older debts, then pay off the 0% interest balance transfer credit card before the real APR kicks in after the introductory offer has expired. This is an excellent way to pare down your debt significantly, as long as you are careful to pay the credit card back before the real APR kicks in down the line.



Credit card issuers often offer unique deals and special interest rates as "teasers" to talk consumers in to taking out credit with their companies. One such offer that is readily given to consumers is 0% interest on balance transfers, which is a normal facet of an introductory offer in many of today's credit cards, loans and other financial instruments. Before you jump on the bandwagon, taking advantage of teaser rates and introductory offers because they sound so great, it is important that you come to understand what it means to have 0% interest on balance transfers, as well as how long it will last and what will happen once the 0% interest on balance transfers wears off.



The first thing to understand is what 0% interest on balance transfers means. Balance transfers are when you take your credit card balance, and transfer a portion of it into another account. For example, if you have another credit card and the payment is due, you can transfer a portion of your new credit card's balance to the older card to pay it off. Normally there is a percentage fee associated with this action, but during an introductory offer, it is common for 0% interest on balance transfers to be offered. What this means is that rather than charging you an interest rate such as 3% on all balance transfers, you are offered 0% interest on balance transfers instead.



After the introductory period ends, however, the credit card will suddenly revert back to its original 3% interest rate. If you are caught with a balance at this point, you have to pay that interest rate. In some circumstances, the regular interest rate or APR can also shoot up, and if your account is empty because you transferred all of the balance away, then you can suddenly find yourself paying enormous interest rates without having intended to.



The truth about 0% interest on balance transfers is simple: This is an excellent way to take advantage of transferring balances from one card to another, but only if you utilize it wisely. If you do not have the money management skills necessary to take on a new credit card with teaser rates and introductory offers attached to it, don't do it.